Arizona strikes deal to keep Grand Canyon open

December 18, 1995
Web posted at: 11:55 p.m. EST

PHOENIX, Arizona (CNN) -- Arizona Governor Fife Symington
announced Monday that his state and the U.S. Department of
the Interior reached an agreement to keep the Grand Canyon
open despite the federal government's partial shutdown.

Negotiations for the unprecedented agreement began when
canyon operations ceased for the first time in the history of
the park during the November federal government shutdown,
according to a press statement from Symington's office.

"This historic agreement is a testament to government working
together for public benefit," Symington said in the
statement. "Through our work today, citizens from all over
the world can be assured that the crown jewel of our National
Park System will always remain open."

Under the agreement, the National Park Service will keep
Mather Point and the Grand Canyon Village area open to
visitors during the budget shutdown and will allow
concessionaires to continue operating.

In turn, Arizona will make a donation to the National Park
Service to pay the personnel and other costs needed to
operate these areas of the park.

The donation will be $17,625 per day, to be paid in advance
of each day's operation of the Park during a shutdown.
Arizona also agreed not to hold the United States responsible
for personal injury and property claims during its operation
of the park.

Symington said the funding for the agreement will come
through the Arizona State Parks Board. The board Friday
voted to use up to $211,500 of its appropriated funds for
this purpose -- a sufficient amount to cover a 12-day period
of park operation under the agreement. The board also voted
to accept a donation of $52,875 from John F. Long, a Phoenix
developer and philanthropist, to help fund this effort.

In California, the Joshua Tree National Monument closed most
of its park and wilderness area Friday. One road remained
open for transportation purposes only.

"People cannot stop. They will be able to just drive
through," park spokesman Joe Zarki said.